The classic story of “The Wizard of Oz”, first published in 1900, has gained another adaptation. In Nov. 2024, the “Wicked” movie took the screen. This premiere took me back to when I was sitting in my car seat, singing the hit song “Popular” sang by the original Broadway cast; obviously, I simply had to see the movie. So, I bought 2 tickets, stole my mother from her ritual of weekend laundry, and went to the movie theater! Although I wished it had ended earlier, I left the movie feeling more than pleased. 

“Wicked” is a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” following Glinda the Good Witch and The Wicked Witch of the West when they are away at Shiz, their school. The story follows these girls and their road to self-discovery and being open-minded in the face of fixed preconceived notions.

According to IMDB, there are over 30 adaptations of “The Wizard of Oz.” Naturally, the writers of the “Wicked” movie had to work overtime to ensure that their adaptation still brought something new to the table. As I watched the movie, I saw that there was a new depth seen in the two principal characters, Glinda and Elphaba. Glinda specifically, played by Ariana Grande, brought an incredible new depth to her character in the first scene alone. In the song “No One Mourns the Wicked,” Glinda is seen going through intense and suppressed grief of her old friend, Elphaba. This more modern take is also reflected in the singing. Cynthia Erivo, playing Elphaba, made many new choices to accompany her version of Elphaba, especially vocally. The majority of these choices, mainly new riffs, were beautiful, but sometimes I feel that they minorly impacted the integrity of the show. Large or intricate riffs, also known as vocal runs, aren’t used super widely in musical theater—at times when Erivo decided to include a new riff that wasn’t written in the original music, I was almost disappointed that I didn’t get to hear her sing the original notes.

While including these aspects of newness, the writers, specifically the composers, made sure to include hints of nostalgia with The Wizard of Oz motifs. Steven Schwartz, the composer for the film, added the same chord progression of the lyrics of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” showing newer audiences the connection between the original tale and the new movie. Additionally, the writers included small details throughout the film to enhance this connection, like cameos from the ruby red slippers and the Cowardly Lion. The casting directors also paid a heartwarming homage to the original Elphaba and Glinda, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith, with their part in the song “One Short Day.”

Going into the movie, I was kind of nervous about the music and vocals. If you have seen other movie adaptations of musicals, like “Mean Girls: The Musical The Movie,” “The Phantom of The Opera (2004),” or “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007),” then you would understand my anxieties. Yes, the music in these movies are enjoyable to some degree, it just felt as though the music wasn’t a priority; if it was a priority, the music was made to sound more current and mirror pop-music. Thankfully, Schwartz maintained the integrity of the soundtrack, and, to my knowledge, everyone in the cast had musical theater training and experience. From the musical “13,” to “The Color Purple,” everyone in the “Wicked” cast had experience in the camp and exaggerated style of theatrical singing and acting, and it made all the difference. While watching the movie,  I could hear the trained and theatrical vibrato in Erivo’s singing. As a theater kid, I definitely appreciated this, and greatly enjoyed this style of singing brought to the big screen!

While watching “Wicked,” I found that this may be one of the only movie adaptations of  a musical that was made primarily for theater kids rather than movie buffs. The writers very obviously desired to reinforce the tones of self discovery and newfound friendship throughout the movie, however I found that some of the moments that showed these ideals were milked. There was a scene in which the kids attending Shiz went to a ball. When Elphaba shows up, she begins to be laughed at by the other kids until Glinda decides to mirror her weirdness. The beginning of this kind gesture was followed by multiple minutes of the same kind gesture. Yes, it was sweet. Yes, it made my mother cry. But, it was definitely lengthy, and was unneeded combined with the fact that the movie is three hours long. Additionally, no matter how much I love “Defying Gravity,” no song needs to be over seven minutes long. I may be biased because I was running late for work, but I was genuinely frustrated with the unnecessary lengthiness. At some points, the song even became repetitive, and by now I was really running late for work. However, these moments were beautiful in the big scheme of things, and definitely highlighted the movie’s message.

“Wicked” was a beautiful interpretation of a nostalgic and classic tale. The movie masterfully revamped an old story through creating a stronger message with a deeper meaning. Although this movie was definitely made for theater people, it was universalized by highlighting friendship and self-discovery. If you love music or your best friend, go buy “Wicked” tickets!

The release of Wicked on Nov. 22 quickly captured the attention of audiences across the United States, quickly becoming the number one movie in the country. I watched the film the day after it was released, excited by the trailer and expecting a great experience. What I didn’t expect was how deeply the movie would resonate, not only with me, but with countless others. Wicked has had a major impact on America through its unifying message, its influence on pop culture, and the powerful themes that speak to audiences on a personal level.

Wicked is based on the Broadway musical, which originally starred Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The movie follows the plot of Act I of the original musical, focusing on Elphaba, a young girl born with green skin who dreams of becoming a wizard, and her friendship with the more popular girl, Glinda. The casting of the two lead roles in the film is one of the movie’s most notable aspects. Cynthia Erivo brings an incredible emotional depth to Elphaba, and her powerful voice leaves a lasting impact. Paired with the well-known pop artist Ariana Grande as Glinda, the movie becomes a perfect blend of acting and vocals that enhances the experience for audiences.

One of the most significant aspects of Wicked is how it has brought people together, creating a sense of unity across the country. The movie offers a space for viewers to connect through shared experiences, and its themes resonate with so many. On social media, Wicked has been the source of countless trends, including singing challenges and jokes about the movie. These trends have further solidified the movie’s place in popular culture, allowing people from different walks of life to come together and celebrate the film. For many, the movie has provided a sense of belonging, offering a space where they can feel seen and heard.

At its core, Wicked is about more than just friendship, it carries a powerful message of self-acceptance and transformation. Watching it, I found myself reflecting on the way I view myself, and the movie left a positive impact on my sense of identity. Its themes of growth and embracing who you truly are are both timeless and timely, resonating with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.

That being said, the film has sparked some criticism. Some viewers argue that there’s too much singing or have questioned the casting of Ariana Grande, suggesting the role of Glinda should have gone to a less famous actress. While I’m not typically drawn to musicals, I feel that Wicked remains true to its roots, and its musical numbers are integral to the story. The movie succeeds in carrying over the essence of the Broadway show, and even features original cast members like Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth for special performances. As for Ariana Grande, her casting feels authentic. From a young age, she expressed a deep love for Wicked, sharing videos of herself singing its songs as a teenager. Her heartfelt performance and emotional portrayal of Glinda show just how much she invested in the role.

For me, Wicked was an emotional and unforgettable experience. I’ve never felt so connected to a film, especially a musical. Every scene and every song resonated with me on a deep level, and not once did I feel bored or disengaged, even though the movie runs for nearly three hours. One standout moment was Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Defying Gravity.” Her rendition left me speechless, with every note carrying so much emotion that I could feel it in my chest. It was a moment that truly took my breath away and left me in awe of her vocal talent.

In conclusion, Wicked has not only impacted my life but has resonated with so many across the United States. Its act of unity, strong presence on social media, and its powerful messages have made it more than just a movie, it has become a cultural phenomenon. Watching Wicked has changed my perspective on many things, and I truly believe that anyone who watches it will walk away with a sense of inspiration, connection, and emotional resonance. If there’s one thing I wouldn’t regret in life, it would be watching this film—it has left an indelible mark on my heart.

Harshitha Sivanandan (10) and Anika B. waiting for one of the most anticipated releases of the year to begin. (Harshitha Sivanandan)

A lively, unique prequel to the “Wizard of Oz” starring pop artist and two-time Grammy winner, Ariana Grande, has stirred up attention from various age groups for its renowned cast and nostalgic factor of a beloved classic. Released on Nov. 22, “Wicked” directed by Jon M. Chu, was one of the most anticipated releases of the holiday season, but it failed to enchant quite a few in the way they had dreamt of. The musical made movie follows the fallout of two young women, Elphaba and Glinda. One misunderstood for her green skin and uncontrollable, hazardous powers, while the other adored for ‘heartwarming’ compassion, found a friendship blossoming in the midst of their obvious differences. Although “Wicked” had great potential, its high predictability, stretched-out plot, and unresolved main conflict made the movie a flop.

Set in the land of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda find themselves at Shiz University, but for entirely different reasons. While Glinda can’t wait to become a sorceress and be ‘popular’ during this new stage of life, Elphaba’s main concern is helping her younger sister Nessa, get settled into the school. However, upon her accidental public display of magic, the headmistress of Shiz convinces her to stay after being blown away by the sight. In hopes of one day meeting the wizard and having her wish granted, Elphaba agrees. Thus, the backstory of the ‘wicked’ witch begins. While this movie seemed predictable, its original storyline was captivating. This led my friend and I to watch “Wicked” at AMC Theatres in Grapevine, Texas.

This intriguing movie could’ve been worth your time if they hadn’t exposed the major plotline in its official trailer. As the mysterious, eerie music begins to play, Grande’s voice interrupts the ominous sound with, “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” It’s quite foolish to claim this isn’t a spoiler, especially considering Hollywood’s obsession with creating movies about villains’ pasts in order for audiences to empathize and connect with them on a deeper level. Take “Cruella” directed by Craig Gillespe or “Maleficent” directed by Robert Stromberg for example. These movies give more complexity to antagonists, creating an alluring spin-off to their original stories. The villain arc is engaging and attractive when done right, but “Wicked” failed to get this idea across subtly.

However, the film’s marketing wasn’t the only aspect that was overdone. “Wicked” was a whopping 2 hours and 40 minutes long with several unnecessary scenes and characters. Boq, a munchkin man, who was head over heels for Glinda, didn’t have a huge role in the development of the plot. His scenes were dull and a poor attempt at comedic relief, since they consisted of him being upset over her rejection. Not to mention, it only dragged the movie on even further. Towards the end of the movie, my friend was checking her phone to check the time and yawning continuously. It wasn’t surprising to me that she was bored, since I had also started to zone out. Yet, this isn’t even the dealbreaker!

At the end of a movie, one usually encounters a solution to the main problem in the plot. In other cases, it’s likely mentioned. Whether that be that the conflict is reoccuring or changed due to another part of the story. “Wicked” didn’t address the main problem towards the end of the movie. Even though the second part of the film is expected to come out in 2025, a movie feels more organized when the conflict is referred to steadily throughout it. Apart from that, there were countless plot twists that backfired and made “Wicked” tricky to follow. It felt all over the place and too overwhelming.

While the plot felt messy, the film’s theatrical format was phenomenal. It truly felt like a musical with elements such as spoken dialogue during song and groups of characters dancing. Also, the costume design perfectly captured the whimsical feel of the musical. The bright colors, elaborate designs, and little CGI use made the characters come to life and more authentic. Despite these enjoyable moments, the negative aspects take away from the experience as a whole.

“Wicked” is a movie that had great potential to be nearly perfect. The obvious storyline, lengthy plot adding to the movie’s lack of structure, and lack of solution for the conflict, made the experience one filled with audible sighs and disappointed faces. Thus, this holiday release wasn’t as ‘wicked’ as people hoped it to be.